Hikma invests in Mumbai-based Unimark Remedies

18-Apr-2011 - MENA-focused drug manufacturer, Hikma, has entered into a strategic partnership with Indian API and intermediates business, Unimark Remedies.

Hamburg calls for more FDA powers to ensure drug quality

14-Apr-2011 - FDA Commissioner Hamburg has asked for more supply chain security and quality control regulatory powers.

FDA spared in cuts as Reps aim to boost oversight

13-Apr-2011 - New powers and a budget increase, despite cuts to government spending, have been proposed to help the FDA monitor the global supply chain.

Cherwell Labs expands UK media plant

12-Apr-2011 - Microbiology media maker Cherwell Laboratories has announced plans to expand its manufacturing capacity in response to growing industry demand for environmental monitoring products.

Amgen builds in Brazil with Bergamo buy and Hypermarcas deal

11-Apr-2011 - US drugmaker Amgen has acquired Brazilian manufacturer Bergamo in a bid to improve its access to ‘one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical markets in the world.”

LB Bohle sees increasing demand for ‘try before you buy’ demos

07-Apr-2011 - LB Bohle says healthy level of demand for processing technology demos at its recently opened service centre is an indication of processing tech market recovery.

Unilife ‘realigns’ operations to support Unifill production

06-Apr-2011 - Unilife has begun a ‘scheduled realignment’ of its operating infrastructure to support the production and sale of its Unifill prefilled syringe, according to a statement released by the company.

Pharma future bright for Puerto Rico says PRIDCO

04-Apr-2011 - The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Puerto Rico will thrive because of and not in spite of changes to the country’s tax and incentive laws according to the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO).

Novartis invests in Chinese vaccine maker

28-Mar-2011 - Novartis has acquired a majority stake in vaccine maker Zhejiang Tianyuan Bio-Pharmaceutical, continuing its efforts to accelerate revenue growth in China.

Kerry adds two Chinese sites to logistics network

24-Mar-2011 - Kerry Logistics has opened two distribution centres in China to serve pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and other industries.

UK budget aims to attract & keep pharma manufacturers

24-Mar-2011 - The UK has drafted a budget to attract and keep business but there are still significant barriers to investment, warns the CIA.

GSK joins UK Gov innovative manufacturing initiative

23-Mar-2011 - GSK is participating in a UK Government-backed innovative manufacturing initiative aimed at revitalising the sector.

Gerresheimer buys Bazilian plastic pack firm Vedat

23-Mar-2011 - Gerresheimer has bought Brazilian pharmaceutical plastic packaging maker Vedat, citing rapid growth of the country’s drug market, particularly the generics segment, as the main driver for the acquisition.

UNCTAD to discuss fostering drug manufacturing in Africa

21-Mar-2011 - Next month the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will organise a meeting to discuss ways of encouraging the production of pharmaceutical in Africa.

Novartis cuts staff at Horhsam, UK site; creates jobs in China

21-Mar-2011 - Novartis, the Basel, Switzerland-based pharma giant, has announced a raft of job cuts at its research and development site in Horsham, UK.

EMA and FDA team on QbD parallel evaluation pilot scheme

17-Mar-2011 - The EMA and the US FDA will conduct parallel assessment of QbD development and manufacturing data for new drug submissions under a new pilot scheme announced this week.

WSF report claims 'brighter decade lies ahead' for biotech sector

17-Mar-2011 - World Street Fundamentals (WSF), the financial research specialist, has released two industry reports highlighting the mixed fortunes of biotech firms Biodel and MannKind, but claims a “brighter decade” lies ahead for the biotech sector.

Guest article

In a tough regulatory climate being forewarned is forearmed, says ISI Europe

17-Mar-2011 - Don’t think of the global regulatory information clampdown as a burden. It’s an opportunity to put your house in order, says Adam Sherlock, MD of ISI Europe.

Fette sets up Goa tablet testing unit

15-Mar-2011 - German machine tool maker Fette Compacting has set up a tablet compression and flowability testing centre in Goa, India.

SOCMA and EFCG want foreign API sites to pay for US FDA inspections

15-Mar-2011 - SOCMA and the EFCG want the US FDA to make inspection of overseas API manufacturing sites mandatory, with the facilities paying for the costs themselves.

Pfizer may sell non-core units according to analyst

15-Mar-2011 - US drug giant Pfizer may sell its generics, consumer health and Capsugel units in an effort to slim down and refocus on its core pharmaceutical business according to a number of reports.

Drugmakers largely unscathed by Japanese quake

14-Mar-2011 - The Japanese drug sector seems to have survived the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country largely unscathed, with early reports suggesting that most manufacturing sites have escaped damage.

Medtronic opens new regional headquarters in Shanghai

10-Mar-2011 - Medtronic, the US-based medical technology firm, has officially opened its new regional headquarters building in Shanghai, China.

Tech transfer-created hubs can boost supply; Lilly

10-Mar-2011 - Regional production hubs created by technology transfer can improve public health and drive economic development in low- to mid-income countries, says Eli Lilly